Home Entertainment Strictly’s Lauren Oakley prepares to replace Amy Dowden as she joins other stars heading to the live show for first ever Icons Week

Strictly’s Lauren Oakley prepares to replace Amy Dowden as she joins other stars heading to the live show for first ever Icons Week

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Lauren Oakley and other Strictly stars were in full force on Saturday as they headed to the studio ahead of the live competition.

The Strictly stars were in full force on Saturday as they headed to the studio ahead of the live competition.

Lauren Oakley, who will be JB Gill’s temporary partner after Amy Dowden was forced to withdraw due to her health problem, headed to the studios in gray trousers and a gray cropped jumper.

The professional dancer sported a pair of large hoop earrings and bundled up against the winter chill in a puffer jacket.

JB’s professional partner Amy, 34, was rushed to hospital during last week’s live show after she collapsed backstage.

While she recovers, the BBC announced that Lauren would be filling in for Amy and dancing with the JLS star, 37.

Lauren Oakley and other Strictly stars were in full force on Saturday as they headed to the studio ahead of the live competition.

Lauren will be the temporary partner of JB Gill (pictured together) after Amy Dowden was forced to retire due to her health problem.

Lauren will be the temporary partner of JB Gill (pictured together) after Amy Dowden was forced to retire due to her health problem.

Hours before JLS singer JB, 37, and choreographer Lauren, 33, hit the dance floor, Amy, who is believed to be in remission after battling breast cancer and has the Crohn's disease, reached out to the couple with a heartfelt message of support.

Hours before JLS singer JB, 37, and choreographer Lauren, 33, hit the dance floor, Amy, who is believed to be in remission after battling breast cancer and has the Crohn’s disease, reached out to the couple with a heartfelt message of support.

JB and Lauren will dance the Couple’s Choice routine with Bruno Mars for the first Icons Week.

Posting a photo of JB and Lauren on her Instagram before the show, Amy said: ‘Wishing you the best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!’

BBC bosses have said they are “hopeful” Amy will return next week.

Joining Lauren were comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, who appeared in high spirits as they walked side by side.

The duo who were considered favorites to win the competition after impressing the judges with their Cha Cha Cha, seemed excited to perform for another week.

Dianne was all smiles as she walked in a green jumpsuit with a black buttoned coat and black Dr Marten boots.

Letting her bright red locks fall loose over her shoulders, the dancer topped off her outfit with a crossbody bag and put on a spirited display as she high-fived the camera.

Comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, appeared in high spirits as they walked side by side.

Comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his professional dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, appeared in high spirits as they walked side by side.

Dianne was all smiles as she walked in a green jumpsuit with a black buttoned coat and black Dr Marten boots while letting her bright red locks fall loose over her shoulders.

Dianne was all smiles as she walked in a green jumpsuit with a black buttoned coat and black Dr Marten boots while letting her bright red locks fall loose over her shoulders.

Dianne was all smiles as she walked in a green jumpsuit with a black button-up coat and black Dr. Marten boots, while Chris kept his style casual in a green jacket, blue T-shirt and gray jogging pants.

Dianne was all smiles as she walked in a green jumpsuit with a black button-up coat and black Dr. Marten boots, while Chris kept his style casual in a green jacket, blue T-shirt and gray jogging pants.

Comedian Chris, who made history as the show’s first blind contestant, looked casual in a green jacket, blue T-shirt and gray track pants.

Also attending the rehearsals were Sam Quek and Tasha Ghouri, who opted not to wear makeup for the outing.

The former Love Island star, 26, opted for a relaxed look for the outing as she donned an oversized brown coat which she wore over brown trousers and an oversized white t-shirt.

Sam, 36, also opted for a comfortable look as he sported a loose-fitting tracksuit and trainers.

Wynne Evans, who has had two number one classical music albums and has performed at iconic venues including London’s Royal Albert Hall, was spotted without his dance partner Katya Jones.

The Welsh opera singer cut a casual figure in a dark blue jacket worn over a white T-shirt and jeans.

Wearing a pair of blue socks and brown Birkenstocks, the radio host carried his blue suitcase as he stepped out of the car, along with fellow famous dancer Jamie Borthwick.

After losing a staggering 7 stone last year – which she modestly describes as “a bit of wood” – Wynne revealed she has lost even more weight since signing up for the BBC One dance show.

Also attending the rehearsals were Sam Quek and Tasha Ghouri, who opted not to wear makeup for the outing.

Also attending the rehearsals were Sam Quek and Tasha Ghouri, who opted not to wear makeup for the outing.

The former Love Island star, 26, opted for a relaxed look for the outing as she donned an oversized brown coat and Sam, 36, also opted for a comfortable look as she sported a baggy tracksuit and trainers.

The former Love Island star, 26, opted for a relaxed look for the outing as she donned an oversized brown coat and Sam, 36, also opted for a comfortable look as she sported a baggy tracksuit and trainers.

Tasha showed off her natural good looks as she appeared to walk around without makeup ahead of the first-ever Icon Week show.

Tasha showed off her natural good looks as she appeared to walk around without makeup ahead of the first-ever Icon Week show.

Wynne Evans cut a casual figure in a dark blue jacket which she wore over a white T-shirt and jeans as she stepped out of the car, alongside fellow celebrity dancer Jamie Borthwick.

Wynne Evans cut a casual figure in a dark blue jacket which she wore over a white T-shirt and jeans as she stepped out of the car, alongside fellow celebrity dancer Jamie Borthwick.

Wearing a pair of blue socks and brown Birkenstocks, the radio presenter carried his blue suitcase, while Jamie braved the cold in a pair of gray shorts.

Wearing a pair of blue socks and brown Birkenstocks, the radio presenter carried his blue suitcase, while Jamie braved the cold in a pair of gray shorts.

After losing a staggering 15 pounds last year, which he modestly describes as

After losing a staggering 7 stone last year – which she modestly describes as “a bit of wood” – Wynne revealed she has lost even more weight since signing up for the BBC One dance show.

Elsewhere, actor Shayne Ward joined his dance partner Nancy Xu at the London studio where they warmly greeted photographers.

Elsewhere, actor Shayne Ward joined his dance partner Nancy Xu at the London studio where they warmly greeted photographers.

Dressed in joggers and a sweater, Shayne gave a thumbs up as a beaming Nancy bundled up against the cold in a yellow hat, oversized coat and fluffy shoes.

Dressed in joggers and a sweater, Shayne gave a thumbs up as a beaming Nancy bundled up against the cold in a yellow hat, oversized coat and fluffy shoes.

His health improvement began after his weight increased to almost 50 pounds and he began having “problems washing and climbing stairs.”

Speaking to The Mail, she said: ‘I’m more confident in my body. Looking in the mirror all day is a little strange for me, because the mirror is something I always try to avoid.

But I’m really enjoying it. I haven’t seen my neck in a long time. I feel like a giraffe!’

Wynne put her weight loss down to a calorie-controlled diet, long walks with her new love, events manager Liz Brookes, 50, and the physical demands of Strictly.

Jamie, who last month shut down any romance rumors with professional partner Michelle Tsiakkas when he was spotted dining with a mystery blonde, braved the cold in a pair of gray shorts and a blue fleece as he headed into the studio.

Elsewhere, actor Shayne Ward joined his dance partner Nancy Xu at the London studio, where they warmly greeted photographers.

Dressed in joggers and a sweater, Shayne gave a thumbs up as a beaming Nancy bundled up against the cold in a yellow hat, oversized coat and fluffy shoes.

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